BUDS’ DISMAY AS KYLE SEALS HIBS SWITCH
KYLE MAGENNIS last night spoke of his pride at becoming a Hibs player as St Mirren released a stinging statement explaining the U-turn that has allowed their skipper to cut his 16-year ties with the club.
The 22-year-old penned a five-year deal on deadline day as he teams up with former Buddies boss Jack Ross again.
Record Sport revealed on Friday the Paisley club had reluctantly accepted a third bid from Hibs – just days after they went public to say they’d knocked back a “substantial” offer from the Easter Road club.
It also comes after the player knocked back the offer of a lengthy new deal.
Magennis, who was handed his top team debut by Ross ironically against Hibs four years ago, thanked Saints for making him a Premiership player.
But a statement from St Mirren said: “St Mirren firmly believes in carrying out business in the correct manner and keeping fans accurately informed.
“As such the club can confirm that it has today reluctantly agreed a deal with Hibs for the transfer of Kyle Magennis.
“The club had been working for over a year on a new deal for Kyle and offered him a new fouryear contract on improved terms, however, it became increasingly clear that Kyle saw his future away from St Mirren.
“With this in mind the club made the difficult decision to accept an improved offer and allow Kyle to make the move.
“The club shares the disappointment that the fans and all connected with St Mirren will be feeling with this news.
“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Kyle for all the contributions he made and wish him the best.”
Scotland Under-21 cap Magennis hasn’t featured since suffering cruciate ligament damage in January but he can’t wait to get going at Hibs.
He said: “It’s a proud moment for me and my family. Everyone knows what St Mirren means to me as a club but this was a challenge that excited me.
“I know what the gaffer and coaching staff expect, and they know how to get the best out me.”
New boss Ross said: “Kyle has impressed me from the first time I worked with him and he’s progressed well since I gave him his debut.
“If there is a profile of the kind of player we are looking to bring to the club to add to the group then Kyle fits it.”
Meanwhile, St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin landed two defenders on loan.
Left-back Brandon Mason, 23, arrived from Coventry hours after Saints snapped up Rangers’ Daniel Finlayson.